Other Diseases and Ailments

While the Big Four diseases are the most important and dan­gerous, there are other diseases and ailments that require prompt attention. Some of the diseases and ailments in this chapter are chronic and affect older dogs; others may be acute or chronic and affect all dogs. In some cases you can help clear up the condition, while in others both you and the veterinarian will work as a team to cure the dog.

KENNEL OR HOUSE COUGH

Kennel or house cough (Tracheobronchitis) is a common ailment of dogs of all ages. The cause is unknown, although keeping a dog in a hot, dry and stuffy kennel or house is thought to pave the way for the condition. Highly infectious, the disease usually runs a course of 2 to 4 weeks.

The most noticeable symptom of kennel or house cough is the cough itself. It's a deep, gagging cough that hangs on for weeks. When the cough first appears, you may think the dog has something stuck in his throat. He'll keep gagging and retching, as if he's trying to bring up something. Very often all he brings up is some foamy matter.

The pharynx, larynx and trachea become inflamed and contribute toward the cough and gagging reflex. Later, bron­chitis sets in. There may be a slight rise in the dog's temperature, otherwise he will show no other marked symptoms. Exercise or excitement will aggravate the cough.

House cough by itself is not serious, but if left untreated, complications, such as pneumonia, may result. Any cough that lasts for more than two days should receive veterinary attention. Antibiotics have proved helpful in clearing up kennel or house cough.

While there is no immunization against kennel or house cough, you can take some preventive measures. Since the con­dition reaches its highest peak during the late fall, winter and early spring, you will have to regulate the heat and humidity in the dog's sleeping quarters. If possible, turn off the radi­ator in the room where the dog sleeps. Or put a pot of water on the radiator to help humidify the air.

PNEUMONIA

Bronchopneumonia is the type most often encountered in dogs. It may exist as a symptom of distemper or other disease or be present as the primary disease. Pneumonia can also be caused by bacteria, viruses, and mechanical factors, such as liquids or other foreign matter in the lungs.

The symptoms of pneumonia include a grating, rasping cough; heavy nasal discharge that may be bloody or greenish-yellow; poor or no appetite; listlessness; and a temperature range of 103° to 105°F. or higher.

Pneumonia requires prompt veterinary attention. Fortu­nately, with the antibiotics, pneumonia is not as dangerous as it used to be. There is always the danger of complications and the quicker you get the dog to the veterinarian, the bet­ter his chances of recovery. At the first signs of what you con­sider to be pneumonia, keep the dog warm with a blanket or heavy sweater. As with all diseases, make every effort to keep up the dog's strength. Give him easily digested food, such as bouillon, warm milk, egg custard or Pablum. Keep him out of drafts and dampness. (For more detailed instructions on the home nursing of the sick dog, see Chapter 18.)

BABESIASIS

Babesiasis or canine piroplasmosis is a disease of the blood. It is caused by a protozoan, Babesia canis, which is carried by the brown dog tick. The disease is relatively rare, but is al­ways a potential hazard in areas that are heavily infested with the brown dog tick.

The symptoms of babesiasis include listlessness, weakness, little or no appetite, pale gums and eyelids, staggering and a temperature above the normal range (101° to 102°F.). The positive diagnosis of babesiasis requires a microscopic exami­nation of a blood sample.

There is no immunization for the disease. Preventive meas­ures should include the elimination of all ticks from the dog and area. Control ticks in the area by spraying or cutting down weeds and brush. Also, eradicate the intermediate hosts of ticks, such as field mice and other small rodents. (See Chapter 15)

DIABETES

Diabetes, a chronic disorder affecting carbohydrate metab­olism and involving the pancreas, is usually seen in dogs over five years old. The symptoms include increased thirst, heavy urination, weakness, emaciation and eventually coma.

Diabetes requires veterinary attention. The usual treat­ment is an adjustment of the diet and insulin injections.

FITS

Ordinary Fits or Convulsions

Ordinary fits or convulsions have a rapid onset and usually last for a short time. They may be caused by disease, parasites, teething, faulty diet, overexcitement and poisoning. Fits may recur.

The symptoms are a general uneasiness, champing of the jaws, foaming at the mouth (also a symptom of rabies), stiff­ened muscles, collapse, kicking of the feet and eventual un­consciousness.

There isn't much you can do for the dog when he has a fit, except to see that he doesn't injure himself. A dog in a fit will thrash around, possibly striking sharp objects. If there is such a danger, you can throw a coat or blanket over him and drag him out of danger. When he recovers from the fit, feed him sparingly. A mild laxative such as milk of magnesia may be helpful. If the fit recurs, consult your veterinarian.

Running Fits or Canine Hysteria

Running fits or canine hysteria are nervous attacks char­acterized by running, yelping and general confusion on the part of the dog. The cause is unknown, although a faulty diet is suspected of playing a major role. Other symptoms are restlessness, excitement, staring expression, fear and aimless running back and forth.

It should be mentioned at this point that running fits are very often mistaken for rabies. The mistake is easily made if you will compare the symptoms of the two conditions. In both rabies and running fits the dog is easily excited, foams at the mouth, has a staring expression, shows fear and runs amok. However, rabies and running fits differ in their progress. Running fits eventually pass away and all symptoms disappear. In rabies, all symptoms become increasingly worse, ending with the death of the dog.

Since you have no way of knowing with certainty whether your dog is suffering from rabies or running fits, treat all fits in which the dog runs as suspected rabies. Try to confine the dog without being injured or handling him. Call your veterinarian. Admittedly, confining the dog without han­dling him may be difficult. But do what you can without endangering yourself, even if it's just penning the dog in the yard.

While the cause of running fits is unknown, the addition of fresh meat and cooked eggs to the diet may help prevent a recurrence. Also, include a vitamin and mineral supple­ment, such as Pervinal, in the dog's daily diet. Regularity in bowel movements is also considered important for the dog that is subject to running fits.

URINARY TRACT AILMENTS

Ordinarily, we associate urinary tract ailments with older dogs. But disease or injury to the kidneys or bladder may also occur in young dogs or puppies.

Inflammation of the kidneys may be caused by infection, injury, stones or improper diet. The symptoms include pain in the kidney region, excessive thirst, difficult urination, vomiting and little or no appetite. Kidney ailments require veterinary attention. Very often a dog with a kidney ailment will have to be put on a prolonged special diet.

Infection or the formation of stones may cause inflamma­tion of the bladder. A dog suffering from infected bladder or stones will have difficulty in urinating. He may have blood in the urine, pain in the bladder region and little or no appetite. He will also have an increased thirst. A complete blockage of the urinary tract may occur. When it does, imme­diate veterinary attention is necessary.

PYOMETRA

Pyometra is a disease of the female dog. It is caused by an accumulation of pus in the uterus, and usually affects unbred females over five years of age.

The symptoms are loss of appetite, increased thirst, vomit­ing after drinking water or milk, increased urination, dis­tended abdomen and possibly pain in the abdominal region. There is a rise in the temperature in the early stages of the disease; a drop as the disease progresses. A female with pyometra gives off a "sweetish" odor. Pyometra requires veterinary attention.

METRITIS

Metritis is another "female" disease. It is an acute or chronic inflammation of the uterus. Metritis may result from injury or infection during whelping. Or it may occur shortly after the pups are delivered. The disease or condition may also be present as part of another disease.

The symptoms for metritis are vaginal discharge (may be bloody), increased thirst, vomiting, abdominal pain and little or no appetite. Metritis should receive veterinary attention.

PROSTATITIS

So far as it is known, only three animals suffer from prostatitis: the dog, the lion and man. Prostatitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland. It is common in old male dogs.

The symptoms include frequent and painful urination, difficult bowel movements (resulting from an enlarged pros­tate pressing on the rectum), restlessness, reluctance to sit down, and a rise in the temperature. Some cases of prostatitis are helped by chemotherapy, others require surgery. Consult your veterinarian for the best treatment for your dog.

ANAL GLANDS

Many of us have seen a dog drag his rear end over the floor or ground, his two hind legs pointing up or straight ahead. The common reaction to this scene is to say the dog has worms. Yes, he could have worms. But he might also have swollen and infected anal glands.

The anal glands are small glands situated inside and just below the anus. There are two glands, one on either side of the anus. Normally, the anal glands secrete a yellowish fluid. Just what the purpose of the anal glands is has never been fully ascertained. It might be that the anal glands once func­tioned like the scent glands of the skunk. At any rate, these glands become swollen, infected or abscessed. When they do, the dog is in misery. This is the time when he sits on his anal glands, trying to ease the pressure. When your dog starts to drag his rear end, it's time to have him checked for worms or swollen anal glands.

Most of the time, the dog's anal glands simply become over­loaded with fluid. And all that is required is to empty the glands. This is a relatively simply chore. But it's an odorifer­ous one. You can do it yourself or have the veterinarian perform the job. If you want to do it, here's the procedure to follow: First, place the dog on a table or bench and have someone restrain him. Next, see if you can feel the swollen anal glands on the outside of the dog's rectum. Look to the side and just below the anus. You may be able to detect small lumps or nodules. If you can feel the anal glands, you can exert pressure to empty them. But first place a handful of cotton or several layers of gauze over the dog's anus. This will help prevent the anal gland fluid from spraying all over you. Exert pressure on the glands in an upward direction so that the fluid will be forced out of the glands, up into the anus, and then out onto the cotton or gauze. Keep the cotton or gauze up tight against the anus.

If this external pressure fails to empty the glands, you will have to squeeze the glands from inside the anus. Put on a rubber glove and apply Vaseline to the finger being inserted. When your finger is inserted, feel to the right and left, and downward from the anus. After you locate the anal glands, hold some cotton or gauze against the anus. Now you can exert gentle pressure on each anal gland.

After you've emptied the anal glands, keep an eye on the dog for a week or so. If the glands fill up again or the dog shows sign of being in pain, consult your veterinarian. Quite possibly, the anal glands may be infected or abscessed.

ASCITES

Ascites is another condition usually seen in older dogs. It is caused by fluid collecting in the abdominal cavity. Ascites may be the result of kidney, liver or heart disease. The visible symptoms of ascites are a swollen, pendulous abdomen and a shortness of breath. Ascites requires veterinary attention.

EAR TROUBLES

Ear troubles are common in dogs, especially the long-eared varieties, such as the Dachshund, Setter, and Cocker. Minor cuts, insect bites, ear cankers and hematomas are common ear ailments. Prompt attention to ear conditions, no matter how trivial they seem, will prevent serious trouble that may lead to deafness.

Ear Canker or Otorrhea

Ear cankers may be visible on the outer parts of the ear or just down inside. Both inner and outer ear cankers are caused by infections or parasites.

The symptoms of ear canker are ulcerations, constant shak­ing of the head, pawing at the ears and the presence of scabs or crusts. Some dogs are very irritable when they are suffer­ing from ear cankers and will resent having their ears touched.

You can help relieve the dog's discomfort by washing the canker with mild soap and warm water. Use absorbent cotton and wash away the scabs and crusts. After you've cleaned the canker, apply some mineral or sesame oil on a cotton swab and gently coat the affected part. A dusting with an antiseptic powder, such as BFI powder, will help. If the canker persists, consult your veterinarian.

Hematoma

A hematoma is a swelling containing blood. It usually occurs between the skin and the ear cartilage and often fol­lows an injury to the ear. The condition is common in long-or floppy-eared dogs.

The symptoms are a soft swelling inside or outside the ear, pain or sensitivity when the spot is touched, and heat in the affected part. A hematoma requires surgical drainage, so take the dog to the veterinarian.

EYE AILMENTS

Your dog's eyes are very vulnerable to disease, parasites and injury. Weeping and inflamed eyes are common symp­toms in many dog diseases, including the Big Four—distem­per, rabies, hepatitis and leptospirosis. But your dog's eyes may weep, become inflamed or ulcerated from causes other than disease. Country dogs often get small seeds, bits of grass and other foreign objects in their eyes. They also get whipped across the eyes by brush or weeds. The city dog is often ex­posed to smoke, fumes, coal dust and chemical irritants that affect his eyes. All of these factors can contribute to acute or chronic eye ailments.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous mem­brane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and the front part of the eyeballs. It is marked by redness, weeping and sensitivity to light (photophobia).

If the condition is caused by a foreign object in the eye, remove it by using the twisted corner of a clean handkerchief. Next, wash the eye with warm water. Use an eyedropper and place a few drops of water in the corner of the eye. When the dog blinks, the water will wash over the eyeball. An eye ointment, such as butyne sulfate or mercuric oxide, will help ease the dog's pain. Again, place a small amount of the eye ointment in the corner of the dog's eye and let him blink it over the eyeball. If the inflammation persists for more than a day or two, consult your veterinarian.

Keratitis

There are two forms of keratitis: 1) a simple inflammation of the cornea, and 2) an ulceration of the cornea. The cornea is the transparent part of the eyeball coat which protects the iris and pupil. In simple inflammation of the cornea, the affected part is red and the eye waters. A photophobia may be present. In the ulcerative type of keratitis, small craters or depressions may be visible on the cornea. There may also be a bluish-white clouding of the eye. You will recall that this is also a symptom of hepatitis. (See Chapter 12)

You can give the dog some relief by applying eye ointment. Keep him out of direct sunlight or brightly lit rooms. The ulcerative form of keratitis should receive veterinary atten­tion. Simple inflammation of the cornea can be treated by applying eye ointment. However, if the inflammation per­sists, take the dog to the veterinarian.

HERNIAS

Hernias are not unusual in dogs. They are protrusions of parts of internal organs (usually intestines) through a rip or break in the abdominal wall. There is also a hernia of the diaphragm in which the upper visceral organs are pushed upward through a tear in the diaphragm. Diaphragmatic hernias are often the result of a dog's being struck in the middle of the body by a car. Umbilical hernias, in which the intestines push through the naval, are often seen in puppies.

The symptoms of a hernia are soft, springy swellings that vary in size from time to time. These swellings may disappear when pressed with the fingers or when the dog sits or lies down. They usually reappear when the dog shifts his position or rises. Hernias require veterinary surgery.

ABSCESSES

Abscesses are swellings on the skin caused by a collection of fluid, such as blood, serum, vaccine, etc. They may occur as the result of an animal or insect bite, sting or faulty vac­cination. The symptoms include swellings on the skin, pain or sensitivity when touched, and loss of appetite. The dog may also run a fever. Dogs with abscesses may be very irri­table and snappy. Ice packs sometimes help, but surgical drainage is often necessary to completely clear up an abscess.

CYSTS

Cysts are swellings caused by capsulized fluids in the tissues. They may be external, appearing under the skin, or internal, forming on organs such as the ovaries or uterus. The symp­toms of external cysts are swellings with a more or less mov­able core. They require surgical attention.

TUMORS

Tumors are caused by the excessive growth of tissue. They may be malignant or nonmalignant (benign), and may appear on any part of the body, internally as well as externally. Most tumors have a tendency to increase in size and are seen mostly on older dogs. Prompt veterinary attention is necessary.

DIARRHEA

Diarrhea is not a disease, but a symptom of a disease 01 infestation of parasites. It may also be caused by a malfunc­tion of the intestinal tract, triggered by faulty diet or the swallowing of foreign matter. While functional diarrhea is more common in young puppies, older dogs are also affected. A soft bowel movement is not diarrhea; a watery or bloody, loose movement is diarrhea.

To clear up ordinary diarrhea, you will first have to deter­mine the cause. Check the dog's diet. It's possible that his food is too laxative. Dog foods containing liver are apt to be on the laxative side. Eliminate them. Add cooked starchy foods to the diet. Boiled rice, macaroni or barley will help solidify bowel movements in ordinary functional diarrhea. If you feed the dog milk, boil it. The commercial diarrhea medicines, such as Peptobismol, will bring ordinary diarrhea under control. For a 7- to 10-week-old puppy, 1 teaspoonful every 4 hours will bring quick results. In the case of bloody diarrhea or when the condition persists for more than a day or two, take a specimen of the dog's bowel movement to the veterinarian. The dog may have worms or intestinal parasites. (See Chapter 14)

CONSTIPATION

Constipation is common in older dogs. It may be caused by disease, improper feeding, lack of exercise and mechanical obstruction. If you look back over the symptoms of prostatitis, you will see that constipation is one of them. However, faulty diet and lack of exercise account for the large portion of con­stipation in older dogs. Swallowing foreign objects, such as sponge balls, soft rubber toys and the like, often results in constipation and vomiting among puppies. The swallowed objects lodge in the intestines and obstruct passage of waste matter.

Your treatment of constipation will depend on the cause. If you suspect the pup swallowed a toy or ball, give him some milk of magnesia. If this fails to produce results, give him an enema. (See Chapter 17) If the enema does not dislodge the obstruction—and it may be too high to reach—you will have to take the dog to the veterinarian. The older dog with a chronic case of constipation will need a diet change. Add more bulk, such as leafy vegetables, to the diet. Also give him more exercise. If the old dog has prostatitis, this condi­tion will have to be cleared up before you can expect any improvement in the constipation.

COPROPHAGY

Coprophagy, or the eating of feces, is not a disease per se. Nobody is sure just what causes a dog to eat his or other feces. One theory advanced is that the dog suffers from a mineral deficiency. Another is that the dog is infested with parasites. Some animal behaviorists think dogs eat their own feces out of boredom. Their idea is that dogs confined to a cage or kennel have little diversion, so they start playing with and eating their feces.

We'd like to put forth our theory on coprophagy. It's quite possible that the eating of feces is a leftover instinct, a carry­over from the time when the dog's ancestors were hunters and scavengers. Life for the early canids was one of a feast or famine. When the hunting was good, the wild dogs ate heartily; when the game was scarce, they were forced to scav­enge and eat whatever they could find, even if it was the feces of other animals. That way, the wild dogs managed to survive.

With all due respects to the animal behaviorists' theory of coprophagy, we think the true reason lies elsewhere. When the writer was managing a large dairy farm in Connecticut some years ago, he had ten dogs that had the run of the 235-acre farm. These dogs were fed a high-quality dog meal, supplemented with milk from the farm. They were free from worms 90 percent of the time and received a vitamin and mineral supplement. The dogs were not penned up all day and night, but were allowed the freedom of the farm, since there were many rodents and other vermin in the area. Yet these dogs never failed to eat each other's feces or that of the cows and horses. Our main point in telling this tale is that these dogs were certainly not bored. They had freedom, helped round up the cattle, and chased game and vermin.

It's doubtful if you can cure the dog that eats feces. You can try giving him vitamin and mineral supplements. And by all means you should get rid of worms and other intestinal parasites. The best measure is to remove temptation: don't leave feces lying around.

FLATULENCE

Some breeds of dogs, such as the Bulldog, Boxer and Boston Terrier, seem to have more gas than others. But this is not to say that other dogs can't be bothered with excessive gas. Flatulence may be caused by improper diet. If your dog is an offender, try eliminating eggs from the diet. Beans, peas and cheese often produce gas and should not be fed to the dog with this problem. Charcoal tablets added to the daily ration sometimes help to reduce gas.

VOMITING

Most dogs have a good reverse digestive action and will vomit very easily. Vomiting may be caused by disease, over­loaded stomach, obstruction, worms, overexcitement, poison­ing, and poor liver or kidney function.

If your dog vomits, skip his regular meal. Give him warm beef bouillon. Restrict his water intake and let him lick an ice cube instead. Since vomiting may be a sign of serious dis­ease or poisoning, you should consult your veterinarian.

BAD BREATH

Bad breath can be caused by a faulty diet, intestinal dis­orders, and infections of the teeth and mouth. Certain foods will, of course, produce strong breath odors. A diet high in meat or fish would be an example of this.

A sour breath usually means that the dog has a digestive disturbance. The smell of urine in the breath is an indication that the dog has some trouble with his urinary system.

Your handling of strong breath odors will depend on the cause. If the dog has a smell of decayed meat or fishy odor, eliminate or at least reduce these items from his diet. Check over his teeth and mouth for sores, ulcers, cavities, etc., and have them treated. In the cases of sour and uremic breaths, you should take the dog to the veterinarian. These could lead to more serious trouble than bad breath.

BLOAT

Many animals are subject to bloat and the dog is no excep­tion. Bloat may be defined as excessive gas in the stomach. It is usually more common in the very large dogs. Great Danes seem to be the most frequent victims of bloat.

Bloat appears very quickly and usually in the warm season. Right after eating a large amount of dry dog food, followed by plenty of water, aided and abetted by vigorous exercise, the first symptoms of bloat appear. They are excessive energy, excitement, swelling of the stomach, shallow breathing and ultimately shock.

Bloat can be fatal. Immediate veterinary attention is neces­sary. If you have a very large breed of dog, avoid feeding him large quantities of dry dog food. The dry-feeding or cafeteria system is not for him.

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